cyctic fibrosis

Cystic fibrosis (CF) is an inherited disease of mucus and sweat glands that affects mostly lungs, pancreas, liver, intestines, sinuses, and sex organs.Mucus is watery. It keeps the linings of certain organs moist and prevents them from drying out or getting infected. But in CF, an abnormal gene causes mucus to become thick and sticky.

The mucus builds up in your lungs and blocks the airways. Therefore bacteria grow easily and leads to serious lung infections repeatedly. Soon these infections cause serious damage to lungs.

Mucus also block tubes/ducts, in pancreasDue to this reason digestive enzymes that are produced by pancreas cannot reach to small intestine. These enzymes help break down the food that you eat. Without them,intestines cannot absorb fats and proteins fully.

one can become malnourished.stools become bulky. vitamins A, D, E, and K deficiency .Intestinal gas, a swollen belly, and pain or discomfort.The abnormal gene also causes sweat to become extremely salty.This can upset the balance of minerals in the blood.

CF can also cause infertility (mostly in men).

The symptoms and severity of CF vary from person to person. Some people with CF have serious lung and digestive problems. Other people have more mild disease that doesn't show up until they are adolescents or young adults.

Respiratory failure is the most common cause of death in people with CF.

Cystic fibrosis (CF) is caused by a defect in a gene called the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) gene. This gene makes a protein that controls the movement of salt and water in and out of the cells in your body. In people with CF, the gene does not work effectively. This causes the thick, sticky mucus and very salty sweat that are the main features of CF.

Children who inherit an abnormal CFTR gene from each parent will have CF.

Children who inherit an abnormal CFTR gene from one parent and a normal CFTR gene from the other parent will not have CF. They will be CF carriers.

CF carriers:

Usually have no symptoms of CF

Live normal lives

Can pass the abnormal CFTR gene on to their children

When two CF carriers have a baby, the baby has a:

One in four chance of inheriting two abnormal CFTR genes and having CF.

One in four chance of inheriting two normal CFTR genes and not having CF or being a carrier.

Two in four chance of inheriting one normal CFTR gene and one abnormal CFTR gene. The baby will not have CF but will be a CF carrier like its parents.

Most of the symptoms of cystic fibrosis (CF) are caused by the thick, sticky mucus. The most common symptoms include:

Frequent coughing that brings up thick sputum, or phlegm (flem).

Frequent bouts of bronchitis and pneumonia. They can lead to inflammation and permanent lung damage.

Salty-tasting skin.

Dehydration.

Infertility (mostly in men).

Ongoing diarrhea or bulky, foul-smelling, and greasy stools.

Huge appetite but poor weight gain and growth. This is called "failure to thrive." It is a result of chronic malnutrition because you do not get enough nutrients from your food.

Stomach pain and discomfort caused by too much gas in your intestines.